News Releases |
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Oxycontin addiction, stolen property lands Johnson City man in Washington County Detention Center. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Investigators have charged Dustin Shawn Mitchell; age 26; 2917 Browns Mill Extension, Johnson City; with Aggravated Burglary in reference to a residential burglary that occurred in the Jonesborough area yesterday. Mitchell was also charged with 6 counts of Auto Burglary in reference to several Auto Burglaries throughout the Washington County area. Mitchell is being housed at the Washington County Detention Center on a $70,000 bond. The investigation took an interesting turn when Washington County Investigators tracked Mitchell to the Fox Motel in Johnson City. Deputies checked the vehicle that Mitchell was driving and discovered it was stolen from Johnson City. Investigators also observed stolen firearms in the back seat of the vehicle. Investigators made contact with Mitchell in his room and a subsequent consensual search of the room uncovered stolen property from numerous theft and burglaries throughout the Washington County area including jewelry, cash, cameras, gps units, mp3 players, compact discs, and various other items. Mitchell admitted to investigators that he had committed numerous auto burglaries around the region in addition to the residential burglary listed above. Mitchell also admitted to using large doses of the Opium based pain killer Oxycontin, and that the need to feed his addiction was what motivated him to commit such crimes. Washington County continues to fight crime on a two pronged front striking out at the criminal enterprises themselves while simultaneously attacking the drug dealers who are providing the addictive illegal substances that drive a huge portion of the violent crimes in our area. The investigation is ongoing and more charges are pending. Anyone with information on any theft or burglary in Washington County is asked to call 423-788-1414.
Jonesborough man arrested for Rape of a Child. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Investigators have arrested Steven J Sutherland; age 41; 176 Hillcrest Circle; Jonesborough following an investigation into allegations that he had inappropriate sexual contact with a juvenile. Washington County Investigators working with the Department of Children Services conducted several interviews with witnesses and the defendant himself. This resulted in Sutherland being charged with Rape of a Child, Incest, and 8 Counts of Aggravated Sexual Battery. Sutherland is being housed at the Washington County Detention Center under a $500,000 bond. Sutherland is scheduled for arraignment this morning in Washington County Sessions Court.
Convicted Johnson City Felon finds himself standing before Federal Magistrate on Firearm and Drug charges. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Sheriff’s Office transported Mondeal Maurice Brown aka Montidial M Brown; age 26; 401 Grand Avenue, Johnson City; to Greeneville to face a United States Federal Magistrate on charges of a Felon in Possession of a Firearm and Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute. These charges stem from an investigation in which Brown exchanged a stolen firearm to undercover Washington County Sheriff’s Investigators for ¼ pound of Marijuana in May of 2009. State charges against Brown were dismissed in lieu of prosecution in United States Federal Court after Washington County Investigators returned the stolen firearm to Johnson City Investigators to return to the victim, after finding the firearm was entered in the National Crime Information Center. Brown is currently being held at the Washington County Detention Center without bond.
Washington County Investigators work long hours to bring justice to victims. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Investigators have made numerous arrests over the last week including charges of Aggravated Assault, Forgery, Aggravated Burglary, and Theft. Investigators have arrested: Daniel L Thornburg; age 42; 286 Providence Road; Telford; after an investigation into an altercation that occurred between Thornburg and a juvenile relative. Thornburg was charged with Aggravated Assault. His bond was set at $10,000.
Robert C Bennett; age 31; 353 Spice Hollow Rd, Johnson City; after an investigation into a Theft and Forgery complaint was completed. Bennett was charged with Theft under $500, and Forgery. Bennett’s bond was set at $2000.
Samuel C Sinclair; age 23; 135 Woodbridge Road, Jonesborough and Kendra F Wakefield; age 21; 101 Longview Place, Greenville; following an investigation into a complaint of Theft. This theft occurred while both were employees on John M Reed nursing home in Limestone. The Theft was discovered by the very attentive staff and was immediately reported to Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Both employees were immediately terminated and after interviews both were charged with Theft under $500 for removing a LED Television from the room of a 93 year old dementia patient’s room. Bonds for both were set at $1000.
Michael R Rice; age 25; 222 East Market Street, Johnson City; charging him with Theft Under $500 and 9 counts of Forgery following an investigation into a Theft complaint. His bond was set at $10,000.
Timothy L Evans; age 28; 128 Gillette Road; charging him with 2 counts of Aggravated Burglary following an investigation into several residential burglaries. He is currently in the Washington County Detention Center under a $30,000 bond.
Investigators regularly work 20-40 cases per week, in addition to being on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Anyone with information on ongoing criminal activity is asked to contact the Washington County Sheriff’s Office at 423-788-1414. FEDERAL JURY CONVICTS JESUS HUERTA, WILEY BARNETT, JAVIER FLORES-DELACRUZ, CARLOS HERNANDEZ, AND JUSTIN BLAKE SALDIVAR OF MARIJUANA TRAFFICKING. Greeneville - Following a four-week trial in United States District Court, Greeneville, Tennessee, a jury convicted Jesus Huerta and Wiley Barnett, both of Johnson City, of conspiring to manufacture 1,000 or more marijuana plants. The jury also convicted Jesus Huerta and Wiley Barnett of conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. The jury convicted Carlos Hernandez, also of Johnson City, of conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute at least 100 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The jury convicted Javier Flores-Delacruz of the McAllen, Texas area, of conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. The jury convicted Justin Blake Saldivar, of San Juan, Texas, of conspiring to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute at least 100 kilograms but less than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana. The jury also returned a verdict against Huerta and Flores-Delacruz for a money judgment of $6,000,000, representing the proceeds of the marijuana trafficking. Sentencing is set for August 9, 2010, at 9:00 a.m., in United States District Court in Greeneville, Tennessee. Barnett faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in prison. Huerta and Delacruz face a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years and up to life in prison. Hernandez and Saldivar face a mandatory minimum sentence of 5 years and up to 40 years in prison. The leader of both conspiracies was Raymundo Miller-Guerra of Houston, Texas, who was indicted, but was a fugitive when he was found murdered in Houston on December 8, 2009. On December 4, 2007, Miller-Guerra and his brother-in-law, Javier Flores-Delacruz, were stopped in Johnson City with over $23,000, representing proceeds of marijuana trafficking. Barnett was responsible for transporting marijuana in motor homes on several occasions between Houston, Texas and Johnson City, loaded with over 500 lbs. of marijuana on each occasion. On May 13, 2008, troopers with the Texas Department of Public Safety, arrested Barnett after stopping him in a motor home loaded with 581 lbs. of marijuana. Barnett later confessed to transporting bulk cash from Johnson City to Houston and to transporting marijuana from Houston to Johnson City. On May 27, 2008, Washington County Investigators searched a residence on Georgia St. in Johnson City, where they discovered over $80,000 hidden in the bottom of a modified cooler and six firearms, which were strategically buried with marijuana packaging. Both Huerta and Barnett were tied to this “stash house.” In July 2008, multiple search warrants were executed in Johnson City and Bristol, Tennessee, including the residences of Jesus Huerta and Carlos Hernandez, resulting in the seizure of drug ledgers, firearms, marijuana, and tools of the drug trade. In September 2008, an off-duty Forest Service employee discovered a marijuana grow operation in the Pisgah National Forest, off the Blue Ridge Parkway, resulting in the discovery of 3,717 marijuana plants. The jury held Huerta and Barnett responsible for the marijuana grow operation. In October 2008, Drug Enforcement Agents, Washington County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and members of the Texas Department of Public Safety, searched several marijuana “stash houses” in Houston and McAllen, Texas. These searches resulted in the seizure of numerous drug ledgers, marijuana, and other documents relating to the trafficking of marijuana. Various co-conspirators testified that Saldivar served as a courier for marijuana and cash between McAllen, Texas and Johnson City. Carlos Hernandez worked as a distributor of marijuana for both Jesus Huerta and co-defendant Jose Colunga. In January 2009, Javier Flores-Delacruz was arrested crossing over the border from Mexico into the United States. Flores-Delacruz was in possession of drug ledgers in his wallet. Testimony identified Flores-Delacruz as the transporter of vehicles to Mexico, for Miller-Guerra, in payment of drug debts. Based on the investigation, these conspirators trafficked in over 13,000 kilograms of marijuana between Texas and Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, Illinois and North Carolina. Miller-Guerra obtained the bulk of the marijuana from Mexico, with shipments of over a ton, being transported across the border in tractor-trailers. The trial was the culmination of a two-year investigation, which also resulted in the following 20 co-conspirators pleading guilty to trafficking in marijuana and firearms charges: In addition to the 20 pleas, the investigation also led to the pleas of 2 former Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies. Jeffery Bailey pled guilty to Conspiracy to Distribute and possess with the intent to distribute 1,000 kilograms or more of marijuana. Jimmy Fox pled to Possession of a Firearm by a drug User. Fox appealed his sentence and his appeal was denied. Law enforcement agencies participating in the joint investigation which led to the indictment and subsequent conviction of Jesus Huerta, Wiley Barnett, Javier Flores-Delacruz, Justin Blake Saldivar, and Carlos Hernandez, included: Assistant U.S. Attorneys Caryn L. Hebets and J. Gregory Bowman represented the United States at trial, and worked tirelessly throughout the 4 week trail and also during the 2 yearlong investigation. Sheriff Ed Graybeal wishes to thank the United States Attorney’s Office for their continued support of agencies: local, state and federal in their efforts to rid our communities of the criminal enterprises that operate in and around Washington County, TN.
Two women arrested after trading sex for cigarettes and then filing a false police report. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Investigators arrested Tammy Nicole Ortega, age 29 255 Browning Road, Telford and Jessica Kathleen Alexander, age 18 255 Browning Road, Telford. Both were charged with Filing a False Police Report in regards to both making allegations of being raped. Both woman alleged they had went outside their residence to check on barking dogs and two men threw them down and started raping them. Both women recanted to Sheriff’s Investigators stating that the rape’s didn’t happen. Ms. Ortego and Ms. Alexander stated they had met a man on a telephone chat line and offered to meet him and have sex for a pack of cigarettes. They met the male subject and traded sex for a pack of cigarettes. The man that was unknown to them left. The woman decided to file a Police Report. Ms. Alexander stated they filed the false Police Report because they didn’t enjoy the sex. Ms. Ortego was charged with an additional count of Filing a False Police Report from an incident on 11/11/2008 were she reported a Vandalism/Arson to the front porch of her rented residence. Ms. Ortego stated she gave false information to Sheriff’s Deputies regarding the incident. The investigation is ongoing and more arrest are pending. Tammy Nicole Ortega is being held in the Washington County Detention Center on a $10,000.00 bond and is scheduled for arraignment in Jonesborough Session Court on January 29, 2010 at 9:00am. Jessica Kathleen Alexander is being held in the Washington County Detention Center on a $5,000.00 bond and is scheduled for arraignment in Jonesborough Session Court on January 29, 2010 at 9:00am
According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, One of Washington County Sheriff’s Office Most Wanted has been captured. Sheriff Graybeal announced the arrest of John Paul Burke on Friday January 26, 2010. He was wanted in Washington County Tennessee for Attempted Aggravated Robbery and Failure to appear in Court. He was one of the Sheriffs Offices “Most Wanted “Fugitives and had been on the list for over a year with several close captures to date. He was arrested by the Harlan County Kentucky Sheriff’s Office and Transported back to the Washington County Detention Center on January 25, 2010 by Washington County Deputies. If you have any further question please contact (423)-788-1414.
A joint effort between law enforcement and school administrators leads to the arrest of a student and the confiscation of narcotics on a local school campus. On Wednesday, January 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m., school administrators alerted the school resource officer at David Crockett High School of the possibility that a student had brought narcotics onto the campus and was distributing the narcotics to other students. The student was located and brought to the office where it was determined that the student was in possession of 74 Alaprazolam tablets. Alaprazolam is ommonly known by the brand name of Xanax. During the investigation, it was determined that the narcotics were given to eight different students. The students were located and checked by medical personnel. The parents of the students were notified of the incident and met with authorities to assist with the investigation. Officers arrested Britney N. Yoakley, age 18, 689 Old Stage Coach Road, Jonesborough, TN charging her with Possession of Schedule IV Drugs for resale. Bond was set at $50,000.00 with a court appearance set for 9:00 a.m., Thursday, January 21, 2010 in Washington County General Sessions Court in Jonesborough, TN.
Two arrested in connection with the theft of “The Montgomery Families” According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Investigators arrested Christopher W. Kent, age 21, 373 Bill Bennett Road; Johnson City and Richard L. Cloyd, age 34, 105 Woodlawn Drive; Jonesborough. Kent was charged for theft over $10,000.00. Cloyd was charged with Accessory after the fact. The charges stem for a theft on December 05, 2009. The gospel singing groups utility trailer that was loaded with over $18,000.00 of musical equipment was stolen. At the time Richard L. Cloyd was employed as a maintenance worker at the Justice Center for the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. In addition Richard L. Cloyd was also charged with Possession of Schedule VI, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, Possession of Schedule II and Resisting arrest. Christopher W. Kent is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on February 23, 2010 at 1:30pm. Richard L. Cloyd is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on February 17, 2010 at 1:30pm.
Theft charges land two Johnson City residents in Washington County Detention Center. According to Sheriff Graybeal, Investigators arrested Eric J Kent; age 27; 208 McKinley Church Road #3; Johnson City and Brooke C Fender; age 20; same address. Both subjects were charged with Theft over $1000, and Kent was also charged with Theft Under $500; after two separate investigations into thefts from two different residences, one located on Dee Runion Road, and one on Bill Bennett Road; both in Jonesborough. Approximately $10,000 worth of the victims’ property was stolen from the two locations. Sheriff’s Office Investigators recovered approximately $1500 worth of the victims’ property. Both are currently out on bond with a court date scheduled for January 4, 2010 in Jonesborough.
Couple found dead in their home from apparent carbon monoxide poisoning. According to Sheriff Graybeal, Deputies responded to 156 Spice Hollow Road in reference to a male and female found deceased in the home by family and EMS. Upon arrival at 2:30 pm Deputies discovered a gas generator in the basement of the residence. The generator was still warm and appeared to have ran out of gas just prior to the deputies arrival. Both subjects were found in the bedroom of their residence. The couple was identified as James D. Garland age 72 and Ann W. Garland age 65. There were no signs of foul play and the investigation is continuing. Gray woman found dead in apartment from apparent smoke inhalation. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, Washington County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to 184 Oakgrove Road Apartment 32 on a check welfare. Upon arrival deputies found the apartment was covered with soot from an apparent fire that had burned itself out in the kitchen area. Officers found the victim, Jennifer N. Dimaggio age 27 in an upstairs bedroom dead from apparent smoke inhalation. Washington County Investigators along with the Washington County Arson Task Force are continuing the investigation. Local Sheriff’s Office teams up with local automobile dealer to promote child passenger safety. The Washington County Sheriff’s Office and Johnson City Honda announce today an opportunity for the public to have child passenger safety seats installed and inspected before the Christmas holiday travel season. According to Sheriff Ed Graybeal, “We are pleased to team up with Johnson City Honda to offer this service. Statistics show that 9 out of every 10 child passenger safety seats are installed incorrectly. With the Christmas travel season a few weeks ahead, this will be an excellent chance for parents, grandparents and caregivers to make sure the child passenger safety seat is in safely and correctly.” A child passenger safety seat checkpoint will be held at Johnson City Honda, 2806 North Roan Street, Johnson City, TN, on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 beginning at 1:30 p.m. The checkpoint will conclude at 3:30 p.m. Sheriff Graybeal added, “Johnson City Honda is a very community oriented business. We are happy to have them involved in this event. Their commitment in making every ride, a safe ride is to be commended.” Also joining in this event will be the East Tennessee Child Passenger Safety Center. |
